Riding the orbs in Grenoble, Capital of the Alps

(this song's for you, Whitney!)

Feeling frisky and in need of daring adventure, the trio of girls from Tour de Buis set off earlyish hitch-hiking for Grenoble. Normally about 1.5 hours by car, the feat seemed 'tout a fait' doable. The night before was spent decorating our spiffy signs, some of which, maybe for the best, weren't tried...

A beer, some Adele, and three rides later, we found ourselves in the middle sunny Grenoble thanks to a chap who decided to go waaaay out of his way.  I like to think my 'Soyez Gentils!' sign made a slight difference.

I was adamant we began with the ride in the téléphérique (or what we fondly called 'hot balls'), up to La Bastille, high above the city spread, castle walls-turned bar in a thick forest at the very peak. Enough for anyone with vertigo to take several balance checks.

River Isère

Raven, Sprinkles, Yoshi

Given the view seemed the best attraction, we settled in for pina coladas and tried to avoid work talk. Breathing in the crisp heat (summer in the alps is just that), this day off seemed just too sweet.

Walking back down through the shops and parks gave us a glimpse at the Switzerland-France border. In Toulouse the spanish influence creeps in with beiges and pinks, the food and the music. In the northwest, the English history, rain, and white marble. I haven't yet been to Strasbourg but I have it on good authority that the German influence abounds.

Don't do it, Sprinx..

Here in the valley of the alps, the apartments had a definitive Swiss feel, sometimes more narrow, taller, painted in pastels with iron railing balconies less ornate than Paris but seemingly more refined.


But then the easiest of eastern indicator were the surrounding peaks not yet snow glazed. I'm already itching to ski!

Jardin de ville

Le couche de soleil

The trip back again (after much deserved monacos and giant mexican burritos), took 3 kind pick ups (a sweet young girl, a worrying lady, and a nice guy just off work) but with a bit more pressure to be on time for evening meeting. Here's to more highly entertaining hitchhiking with the desperada trio...miss you girls!